Dolly Parton's Final Wishes Included Privacy on Her Deathbed
The singer requested that her deathbed not be seen by the public, allowing only her wig and makeup artist to remain with her, while most family members were kept away.
Country music icon Dolly Parton died earlier this month after a brief battle with cancer at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. According to reports, she asked that her deathbed not be visible to the public and permitted only her wig and makeup artist, Cheryl Riddle, to stay by her side. The decision was based on Parton's desire to be “all dolled up” after she passed, so Riddle could attend to her hair and makeup.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver was allowed to see her the day before she died, while other relatives were denied access. A statement from her publicist Marcel Pariseau said Parton “departed her Earthly life … surrounded by loved ones.”
Parton had been hospitalized the previous month for kidney and autoimmune issues and had previously disclosed ongoing health concerns while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean. She had cancelled a Las Vegas residency earlier in the year due to those concerns.
"After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones," the publicist’s statement read.
The singer’s career spanned decades, producing hits such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” and she was noted for philanthropic projects including the Imagination Library and vaccine research funding.